Symptom and quality of life survey of medical oncology patients at a veterans affairs medical center: a role for symptom assessment.

摘要: BACKGROUND The current study was conducted to assess symptom prevalence and intensity their relation quality of life in medical oncology patients at a Veterans Affairs center. METHODS Consecutive inpatients outpatients were asked complete the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy (FACT-G), Memorial Symptom Scale (MSAS), Brief Pain Inventory. Symptoms then analyzed by Karnofsky performance status (KPS) life. RESULTS Two hundred forty participated. The median number symptoms 8 per patient (range, 0–30 symptoms). 5 most prevalent lack energy (62%), pain (59%), dry mouth (54%), shortness breath (50%), difficulty sleeping (45%). Patients with moderate had 11 13 symptoms. intense increased as KPS decreased (P < 0.001). moderately or fatigue also more likely experience nausea, dyspnea, appetite. rated present on MSAS found correlate significantly FACT-G Sum Quality Life score. CONCLUSIONS Intense highly this population. presence pain, energy, poor should lead comprehensive assessment. free disease nevertheless still may be helpful guide life. Routine assessment identify significant fraction who urgently require intensive palliation. 2000;88:1175–83. © 2000 American Society.